An-tic-i-pa-tion - noun - pleasurable expectation

• walking on the beach without worrying about my ankle
• climbing stairs "  "  "  "  "
• FULLY demonstrating for my students
• renewed, improved dancer pose
• INDEPENDENCE
• BALANCED energy to all parts of my body
• living life without planning everything around one single event (that certainly wasn't MY idea in the first damn place)
• a stronger, wiser me
• standing-room-only live music shows
• taking back control and responsibility for my own health and well-being
• putting 12-18-09 in its place - the past - where it belongs
• first summer with my Honda (and that glorious sunroof!)
• designing a new norm for myself
• gardening
• My Siddhi - a.k.a. The Doghouse - a.k.a. my little art studio in the woods
• believe it or not - doing laundry on my own, without having to ask anyone for help
• going places - hopping in and out of my car quickly 
• running in the rain
• making plans!
• facilitating workshops for women
• *hopefully* downward dog, for as long as my little heart desires, without my arm going numb
• ok, this may be stretching it, but what the hey - a completely uninhibited camel pose.  yeah, that would be N-I-C-E!
• 100% clean shave on my left leg, well.....and after 6 weeks in that THING, my right leg too!  With that Mary Kay stuff I love.
• I think I'll treat myself to a massage :)  At Robert Andrews.  And sit in the Tranquility Lounge with a fluffy bath robe and slippers on sipping on silver needle tea - for....ummmm.....maybe 4 hours or so?  Yeah, that's nice.  *aside* - one day, if I ever get the money, I am going to treat alllllllllll my best girlfriends!
• wearing two shoes - a pair that I really like!
• climbing on counters, standing on chairs
• taking the dog for a walk on the boardwalk
• feeling good stuff beneath both of my feet - grass, sand, soil, the labyrinth :)
• refueling my business (Dear Competition - consider yourself forewarned)
• pain-free braking
• attending yoga classes and worshops
• Yogaville
• Eat, Pray, Love in the theater and Middle Eastern cuisine
• moving tables, chairs, and sweeping floors for my classes without any problem at all :)
• full-on Sun Salutations - without reservation or thought - one after the other, after the other, after the other
• Warrior!  I, II, III!  Triangle!  Lateral Angle!  Reverse Triangle!  Woot!
• alternatives to Humble Pie for dessert
• Vitamin Sea - in ridiculous quantities
• official nickname change: Goodbye Gimpy, Hello Sessay!
• socks and clothing - easy on/easy off
• No pain, no pain
• and more, but a girl's got her secrets, yanno ;)

JUST. PUSH. PLAY.

Comfortably Numb.....

has apparently left the building.
Egads.  I guess that local anesthetic they gave me during my procedure yesterday has worn off now.  *sigh*
I spoz more "rest" is in order.  Geeze, rest is B-O-R-I-N-G.  In fact, rest is SO BORING it makes me fall asleep!
Things are looking good for Thursday morning.  One of the nurses at the hospital reminded me that I need to confirm tomorrow, but it looks like I may be first up for the day.  AWESOME.  The earlier, the better, as far as I am concerned.  Hope that dude eats his Cheerios and has a good strong cup o joe first ;)
"Any special requests before your surgery, Ms. Marks?"  Uh......yeah......could somebody run down to Starbucks and get me a venti 4 pump hazelnut latte please?  Have it waiting for me.  Thanks. Now, sweet dreams for the sweet, yanno....*grins*

Uneventful Event.....

And I like it that way!
Procedure #1 - CHECK.
Things went remarkably smooth and on-time this morning.  THAT, I like!  My Dear Designated Driver said she waited for me for about an hour, but it seemed like just minutes.  Next thing I know, I'm eating crackers and drinking ginger ale.  And, hey, who took my gorgeous gown and headdress?  lol  Did I ask for ginger ale?  I DO love it - and dang, shoulda got some at the store for later in the week.  Oh well, guess I'll delegate it ;)
I am scheduled to go back to Dr. Spine Wiz in two weeks - the same day I am tentatively scheduled to get the stitches out of my foot.  Two birds with one trip to Annapolis.  I can dig it.  Who knows - maybe I'll even feel up to a lil Middle Eastern chow and a movie by then.  Any volunteers to chauffeur?
My instructions for the rest of today are:  rest, ice, pain medicine.  CHECK.  Guess I'll turn on the TV.  How do you work this thing anyway? 
Stay tuned...

Funny Instructions

"Do not cook for 24 hours."
"Do not sign any important papers or make any significant or legally binding decisions."
"You are not allowed to take a taxi or bus home."
This is entertainment for me :)

Involuntary Spring Sabbatical

Could it be fun?
Greetings, All!
As many of you know, I have been forced into a Spring sabbatical this year.  And, no, I won't be gardening or beaching it.  However, I will be resting, restoring, rejuvenating, resolving and renewing (and hopefully not expiring from an O.D. on stir-crazy in the meantime).
This week begins the official jigsaw challenge.  Thanks to the miracles of modern medicine, several doctors will be working to put me back together in one workable and beautiful piece.  
Round 1 - Monday, 3/29:  My first cervical epidural.....this to decrease inflammation and severe compression on my spinal cord, which has led to a condition known as "clonus" affecting my nerves (and I don't mean somebody's annoying me, although they might be!)  Ha!  I just looked up "clonus" and what I got is:  "Greek for violent, confused motion" - cool :)  Anyway, all just fancy schmancy terminology that equates to three things: 1) my neck is really screwed up now, 2) I refuse to have spine surgery, and 3) they are going to inject steroids into my neck to see if it helps.  As much as anyone tries to console and convince me, I have to admit, I'm not crazy about this idea at all.  However, it does beat surgery, and if it means I can go back to teaching, well, let's hurry up and get it over with!  Supposedly, after an afternoon of rest, I should be fine by the next day with some residual soreness.  We shall see......
Round 2 - Thursday, 4/1:  Off to Anne Arundel Medical Center for.... ahem..."procedure" number 2 (I hate it when they try to make things sound better by calling them "procedures").  I am scheduled to be in surgery for about 90 minutes.  They will be cleaning out debris from my ankle and then reconstructing ligaments and tendons.  The physician's assistant told me yesterday that my ankle will be "really tight" after this surgery - even more stable than my left ankle!  After it heals, of course.  Woohoo - balancing poses on my right foot!  My instructions say I can't get up at all, except to use the bathroom, for 48 hours.  Now, isn't this going to be fun?!  :D  The rest is yet to be told......*twilight zone music*
In any event, I DO plan on some sunbathing, Gita reading, bird watching, studying, virtual admin. work, and deck planting, once my "hobble" improves at bit ;)
Stay tuned...